The Second Layer

Chapter 21: Lily

Chapter 21: Lily

"He actually told you you shouldn't be together because it would be hard for you to deal with the fact that he might one day kill you?" Alaine asked with an incredulous look.

"Basically, though he was really nice about it. I mean... At least I didn't get the impression that he was saying it all just to get rid of me. It honestly seemed like he was worried about how I would feel and what I'd wind up going through if I were with him. Not that that really makes me feel any better about it," Lily answered. She was stretched out on her back on a couch in the house that Alaine and Evan shared.

"Wow. I mean, I've heard a lot of rejections before, but that one's a first. And of course it wasn't that he wanted to get rid of you. He'd have to be crazy not to want to be with you. But you know... He's a True Mind. They're untouchable to us mere mortals. It'd be like a human wanting to date the pope. However much they might like each other, it just can't happen. I told you a long time ago that this crush couldn't possibly end well," Alaine informed her.

"I know, I know. From the start, logically I knew it could never work. But however impossible my brain constantly told me it was, it didn't stop me from hoping. Because it didn't change how I felt. How I still feel, even now," Lily said mournfully. She'd been depressed ever since last night, and had come over to Alaine's in the hope that it might somehow help cheer her up.

"I understand, but there's no changing what he is. If there was a way of changing his mind and convincing him to give it all up for a relationship, I'd say go for it. Don't stop until you get him. But there's no chance, Lily. So you need to find someone else, and try and take your mind off of things. What about Silver? He's cute, and he's always seemed to like you," Alaine suggested.

"I've noticed. Yeah, he's attractive, and he's sweet, but there's really just no chemistry there. He feels more like my little brother than a potential boyfriend," Lily replied with a sigh. "Why can't I have something like you and Evan have?"

"We live in a world where the strong devour the weak, where might makes right, and it's a tough place to develop any sort of healthy relationship. The True Minds are out of our league, and humans provide a whole 'nother set of complications. You either have to give up your life as a freak, or risk them losing their lives. So Evan and my finding each other was a really lucky thing. Two freaks able to understand and accept and love each other, despite the world in which we live, despite the things we have done and will inevitably do. It's rare. But you'll find someone eventually too, Lily. I know you will, if you give it enough time. Someone who's truly right for you. The only question is, when you find him, whether he'll be a freak or a human. If he's a freak, that'll be a wonderful thing in and of itself, having someone to share what you are with. If you wind up falling for a human, though, you'll have a tough decision to make. But I know you'll make the right one. I have faith in you," Alaine told her with a smile.

"At this point, I wouldn't even care if it was a human so long as I could just find someone who I felt like I had a real connection with. I honestly thought Talen would be that person, despite his being a True Mind. I really thought there could be something special there. I don't know why I still feel so strongly about him. Maybe I just want what I can't have, maybe it's the fact that he's supposed to be out of my league that draws me so strongly to him," Lily murmured.

"Maybe. And maybe it's the power. True Minds have a hell of a lot of it, and I'm sure being around and being part of that would be an incredible rush. And he is really attractive. He's not my type, but I can see why the looks might have an effect on you too. But you have to keep in mind that, on the appearance front, for him that body is only temporary. I mean, what if he chooses a female body for his next form? Or even that of a child? I've heard of True Minds making themselves seem as young as eight or nine. I know you're not bi, and you're not into kids, so what would you do then?" Alaine asked.